Supreme Court Rules on Voting Rights Act Provision

Supreme Court rules on key Voting Rights Act rule as Republicans and Democrats wage redistricting war The Supreme Court on Wednesday limited the scope of a key Voting Rights Act provision that restricts how states draw districts affecting minority voters, constraining states' use of race as a factor when drawing congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms. Justices ruled 6-3 that Louisiana's 2024 congressional map, which was redrawn to create a second majority-Black district, constituted an "illegal" racial gerrymander. The court's decision sharply narrows states' use of race as a factor when drawing their congressional districts, effectively watering down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in question designed to protect minority voters. Compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, "as properly construed, can provide such a reason," Justice Samuel Alito said, writing for the majority.